FAQs
2026-27 Club Season FAQs
Everything you need to know about the upcoming Rising Tide season.
Find quick answers about teams, tryouts, practices, financial
commitments, club policies, and player expectations.
CLUB OVERVIEW & PROGRAMS
TRYOUTS & EVALUATIONS
DUES, FINANCIALS & ASSISTANCE
Who do I contact for general questions or club information?
You can contact Club Director Julie Bigger by phone at 607-316-6804 or via email at risingtidevb@gmail.com.
What is the difference between Premier and Performance teams?
- Premier Teams: Built for athletes demonstrating the highest current level of skill, athleticism, volleyball IQ, and commitment. These teams have a maximum of 10 players, follow a demanding training schedule (3 practices per week), and compete in 9–10 of the most challenging events available.
- Performance Teams: Designed for highly competitive athletes focused on development and growth. They take up to 12 players, receive the same quality coaching, practice 3 times per week, and play in 6–7 tournaments.
Who handles team selections?
Team selections are made collectively by the entire coaching staff. Upon accepting a spot, parents and players are expected to respect and support the placement decisions for all athletes in the program.
When will team coaches be announced?
Once all teams are created after tryouts, coach assignments will be finalized.
When will practice schedules be posted?
Schedules will be posted as soon as gym space is secured. At a minimum, the club will release a full month's schedule during the preceding month.
Where are the practice facilities located?
Practices are held at the Hardeeville Rec Center (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM), Bluffton Rec, Bluffton Boys and Girls Club, and River Ridge.
Club Overview & Programs
When are pre-tryout evaluations?
Pre-tryout evaluations will be held July 13–16. If you are new to Rising Tide Volleyball, it is highly recommended that you attend.
When are tryouts?
Tryouts will be held July 18, 2026 & July 19, 2026
Is there a make-up tryout?
Yes. The make-up tryout will be held August 9, 2026. Times are TBD.
What if I can only attend the make-up tryout?
If you plan to attend only the August 9, 2026 make-up date, you must notify Rising Tide and register before regular tryouts begin on July 18, 2026.
Does my athlete have to attend a tryout to be eligible for a team?
Yes. Athletes must attend at least one tryout date to be eligible for placement on a Rising Tide team.
Tryouts & Evaluations
| Team Level | Total Dues | Non-Refundable Deposit | Payment Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier | $4,400 | $1,100 | $1,100 on Nov 1st, Jan 1st and Feb 1st |
| Performance | $2,500 | $1,000 | $750 on Nov 1st and Jan 1st |
| 12 & Under | $1,000 | $250 | $250 on Nov 1st, Jan 1st and Feb 1st |
Dues, Financials & Assistance
What are the club dues and payment schedules for the season?
All club dues must be paid through the BYGA app via autopay, with no exceptions. Families will not incur credit card fees.
Non-refundable deposits must be paid as soon as possible upon accepting a roster spot to secure the athlete’s position.
Club dues do not include travel expenses to and from tournaments or hotel accommodations.
What is the club’s refund policy?
- Club dues are strictly non-refundable.
- If an athlete suffers a season-ending injury, a prorated refund will be issued.
- If a player voluntarily leaves the team, no refund or credit will be granted.
- No credits are given for missed practices or tournaments.
Does the club offer discounts or financial assistance?
Yes. Rising Tide offers several opportunities:
Multiple Player Discount: Families with more than one child participating in the program receive 10% off their total dues. This does not apply to the 12 & Under division.
Scholarships: Eight half-scholarships are available each season. Applications are available on the club website, and recipients are selected by a vote of the Rising Tide Scholarship Committee.
Financial Hardship: Families experiencing financial hardship may contact Dan at danrisingtide@gmail.com to arrange a confidential payment plan.
Team Parent Discount: Performance team parents receive $250 off, while Premier team parents receive $500 off.
PLAYER & PARENT EXPECTATIONS
ATTENDANCE & PLAYING TIME
SPONSORSHIPS & FUNDRAISING
Can players participate in school sports alongside club volleyball?
Yes. Rising Tide supports dual-sport athletes. However, athletes must provide their schedules to their coaches as soon as possible.
Athletes are expected to remain equally dedicated to both sports. Continuously missing practices can impair team cohesion and may result in decreased tournament playing time.
What is the tournament dress code policy?
Players must wear their designated Rising Tide gear and dress identically in all layers at tournaments and hotels.
- Girls must wear black spandex.
- Boys must wear black shorts.
- Pajama pants are not allowed. Players must wear black shorts or black sweatpants over their spandex.
- If a player forgets any required gear—including jerseys, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or 1/4 zips—they will not be permitted to play.
When are players allowed to leave a tournament?
Players may not leave a tournament until the team’s final work assignment has been fully completed and the coach has officially released the team. This applies even if a particular player was not personally assigned to work.
What hotel rules apply to tournaments?
Stay to Play: For designated Stay-to-Play tournaments, athletes must stay at the required host hotel unless specifically cleared by the Head Coach and Club Director.
All Other Tournaments: Team Moms will secure hotel blocks. Players are required to stay at the selected team hotel unless an alternative arrangement has been approved by the Head Coach and Club Director.
Travel Timing: Teams playing in morning (AM) waves must arrive at the hotel the night before competition. Teams playing in afternoon (PM) waves may drive to the tournament that morning.
Player & Parent Expectations
What is the club’s policy on playing time?
Premier Teams: The goal is to play to win. Playing time is earned and is never guaranteed.
Performance Teams: On Day 1 of a tournament, every athlete will get on the court, although playing time will not necessarily be equal. On Day 2, the philosophy shifts to playing to win, meaning the players who give the team the best opportunity for success will see the court.
How should we handle concerns regarding a lack of playing time?
Coaches and the Club Director will not discuss playing time during a tournament, and the required communication process will not be bypassed.
Parents must wait 24 hours after a match before contacting staff about playing-time concerns.
The communication process is:
- The player speaks directly with the coach to understand what they need to improve to earn more court time.
- If the issue remains unresolved, a meeting may be scheduled between the player, parents, Head Coach, and Assistant Coach.
- If the concern remains unresolved, a final meeting may be requested with the player, parents, coaches, and Club Director.
What is the attendance policy?
All scheduled practices, weekend skills sessions, and tournaments are mandatory.
Any planned absence must be submitted to coaches in writing more than one week in advance.
Poor attendance will directly impact an athlete’s playing time, regardless of the underlying reason.
Attendance & Playing Time
Sponsorships & Fundraising
What are the requirements for team fundraising?
All athletes are required to participate in exactly one team fundraiser.
Fundraising proceeds are divided evenly:
- 50% goes directly to the club
- 50% goes to the team for fun activities
How do business sponsorships work?
Business sponsorships must be submitted by December 1, 2026.
Of the money an athlete raises through sponsorships, 70% is credited directly toward the athlete’s personal club dues, while 30% goes to the club.
If an athlete raises more than their total amount of club dues, the excess funds remain with the club.
Business names, logos, addresses, contact information, and requested T-shirt sizes should be emailed to Kayla Braxton at kbraxton081308@icloud.com.
Sponsorship Tiers:
Gold — $1,000
Platform-wide website promotion, homepage listing, logo on travel shirts, and
2 free logo shirts.
Silver — $500
Platform-wide website promotion, sponsorship page listing, logo on travel shirts, and
1 free logo shirt.
Bronze — $250
Logo displayed on the website sponsorship page and a social media thank-you.
Diamond — $100
A thank-you listing on both the club website and social media pages.
Contact Us
We are here to answer any if your questions.
Contacts
risingtidevb@gmail.com
607-316-6804
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